What do you do if your remote colleagues are difficult to connect with?

If your remote colleagues are challenging to connect with, try establishing clear communication channels and schedules. Reach out proactively via email, instant messaging, or video calls to foster rapport. Respect their preferred communication style and be flexible with time zones. Building trust through consistent and respectful communication can bridge the gap and foster stronger working relationships, even in a remote setting.

Schedule regular check-ins, communicate in advance. Ask if the time suits for all and dont assume. Always keep your time so that you set the expectation that its is important for you. So avoid last minute cancelations. Ask for feedback on the format and the content of meetings with all. Also the length and be open to feedback and to make improvements as needed. Re-evaluate the meetings once 3 every month for the effectiveness.

With changes in timezone, it sure is difficult in certain aspects to communicate with your colleagues, remotely. By having an effective channel to communicate and what message to communicate, it'll be easy to communicate.

In addition to establishing guidelines for communication it's also important to ask about and to learn about communication preferences. Understanding that one person may like and expect a response, even simple ones like "Thanks!", to emails or slack messages can help you foster better connections and better communication styles!

When leveraging different technology tools it's also important to establish expectations for these tools. Establishing a general rule of thumb among team members regarding response times, how and when to indicate if someone is offline and other minor things like this can make a big difference in the long run in fostering a more collaborative and cohesive environment

Building personal relationships with your remote colleagues can help you tailor what message to convey and what not to. For instance, if you find your colleague to be religious, try not to make jokes about his or her religion.

Do not be afraid to pick up the phone. When working remote, it can be extremely isolating. It is hard to connect with team members. It can be hard to collaborate effectively. Just be picking up the phone and not being afraid to chat, can help open the door and build rapport.

Many remote workers are expected to come to a central location periodically - either headquarters, a regional office, or just attending off-site meetings. Whenever possible, schedule 1:1 meetings with colleagues during these times - if possible, in a relaxed environment like over dinner, a coffee shop, or a wine bar.